Is Ginseng an Effective Testosterone Booster?

Testosterone is known as the men’s hormone for good reason. It is vital to your good health whilst its essential for building and maintaining muscle mass; particularly as you age.

Fact: Your level of testosterone will decline by 1% every year after the age of 30.[1]

This may be the way that nature intended you to age, but nature also provides you with a variety of methods to combat this testosterone decline and keep levels at their maximum. You can even retain your energy and muscle mass well into your 60’s, 70’s and even 80’s!

Quick Facts About Testosterone

Testosterone is essential for a number of functions in the human body.

These include building and maintaining your sex drive, ensuring you sleep well and even maintaining your levels of muscle while keeping body fat low.

There are several ways in which you can boost your testosterone levels:

Learn About Ginseng

This natural herb has been used in Chinese and East Asian medicines for in excess of 2,000 years. It grows naturally in Eastern Asia and has become in demand across the world.

Ginseng is a broad term describing an array of species; the most beneficial of these plants for testosterone levels is Panax Ginseng.[2]

Top Tip: American Ginseng is different to Panax ginseng; although they are both shown to have positive effects on the body.

The American herb is higher in antioxidants and has been referred to as a relaxing agent while Asian Ginseng is a revitalizing one.

Both types of ginseng can boost testosterone levels in your body, although general studies and research have focused on Asian ginseng, there is no scientific suggestion that one is better than the other at boosting testosterone levels.

But, Ginseng has been shown to improve erection quality, and sexual satisfaction.[3]

As improved erection quality is linked with higher levels of testosterone and nitric oxide in the body then it is reasonable to assume that ginseng has a direct effect on testosterone levels in the body.

The added bonus of this herb is that increased levels of nitric oxide in your body will equate to better blood flow to all your organs; this is part of the reason why you will see an improvement in your overall health; as well as your testosterone levels.

Advantages of Using Ginseng to Improve Your Testosterone Levels

Nature’s own Viagra – The root can benefit you in a wide number of areas including strength, vitality and sex-drive

There are several advantages to taking a supplement enriched with ginseng:

Direct Link

Ginseng works directly on the brain and the testes to encourage more production of the man hormone. It is a natural and effective method of boosting testosterone levels.

Blood Sugar

The herb ginseng has also been shown to assist your body in regulating the amount of glucose in your bloodstream.

This will directly affect your insulin levels and reduce your chances of developing insulin sensitivity; the primary trigger for diabetes.

In addition, high insulin levels are known to reduce the ability if your body to produce testosterone. The result is a decline in the very hormone you are trying to boost.

In fact, ginseng has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels by as much as 27%.[4]

Erection Boosting

Ginseng has been linked many times with an improved ability to obtain and sustain an erection. This is linked with the nitric oxide previously mentioned.

However, what you may not have realized is that the more erections you have the greater your body’s need for testosterone. Erections become a natural trigger; encouraging your body to produce more testosterone!

A double blind study performed with Korean Ginseng which studied 45 patients already suffering from ED were given 8 weeks of treatment, 2 weeks of nothing and a further 8 weeks. Some of the group was given a placebo to act as control subjects.[3]

The results were impressive; 60% of the group taking Ginseng showed significant improvements in erection quality.

Stress Resistance

It is believed that ginseng is capable of reducing the levels of cortisol in your body.

This is your stress hormone. It is pumped into your system every time there is a potential need to fight or flight.

Although this is a primitive response to a situation it is one that is triggered many times, every day of your life.

Simply consider how many times you have entered a situation you do not want to be in; each of these will trigger the release of cortisol in your body.

Unfortunately, the release of cortisol inhibits the production of other hormones in your body, such as testosterone.

Ginseng reduces the level of cortisol, allowing your body to produce more testosterone

Prolactin Levels

This is another hormone naturally produced by the body. Unfortunately it is known to destroy testosterone cells in the body. Ginseng reduces the level of prolactin in your body.

Although this does not boost testosterone levels it will prevent them from decreasing; allowing the other methods of boosting testosterone to work effectively.

You may be interested to know that animal research show the addition of 5% ginseng to a rat’s diet resulted in a 62% increase is testosterone.[5]

Regulates DHT

There is an exceptionally interesting study as the results can go both ways and still be favorable for levels of testosterone in the body!

Some surveys suggest that Ginseng will prevent the production of 5 alpha Reductase; an enzyme which converts testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The result is increased testosterone levels.

However, other studies show Ginseng actually increases DHT; which is a potent male sex hormone.

Both studies show that Ginseng helps to regulate DHT production; improving testosterone levels.

Cognition

The most recent studies have shown that regular consumption of Ginseng can actually improve cognitive function.

This has been demonstrated by a study of 15 men. They were all healthy with good cognitive function. 8 were given red Ginseng while the others had a placebo.[6]

Those which had ginseng showed a decrease in C3 latency; which suggests an improvement in cognitive function.

Blood Pressure

Asian Ginseng has been shown to have a positive effect on your blood pressure; it lowers it. The same does not appear to be true for American Ginseng.

This has been borne out by a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine. It shows that a group of men taking red ginseng experienced better blood flow than the placebo group.

Better blood flow is associated with lower blood pressure. It is reasonable to assume that this was a result of the red Ginseng.

Cancer Risk

American ginseng also has its uses! The Mayo Clinic has conducted a survey which demonstrates cancer patients treated with American Ginseng suffer less fatigue than those who have been given a placebo.[7]

It has even been suggested that Ginseng can help to reduce the risk of cancer developing.

Disadvantages of Ginseng as a Testosterone Booster

The Ginseng plant and roots

Ginseng is a naturally occurring herb and, as such, does not appear to be linked with any serious disadvantages or side effects.

This is due to it naturally working with your body and the fact it has been used by humans for over 2,000 years without ill effects.

However, there are a few minor side effects which have been noted in some patients:

Nausea

Feeling nauseated can be linked with a variety of health issues.

However, if it starts after you have started adding ginseng to your diet or begun to use T-Boosters it is worth considering whether the two items are linked.

In extreme cases it can also lead to physical vomiting.

Cramps

In general the cramps associated with ginseng are limited to the stomach, although they can appear anywhere within the digestive system.

Diarrhea

As with any change in diet it is possible that you will suffer from diarrhea. While unpleasant you will need to decide if it is worth persevering with the supplement; it may stop as your body becomes accustomed to the herb.

Conclusion

Studies indicate that Ginseng is instrumental to the body; it can improve testosterone levels through direct action on your brain and your testes.

But, it can also boost your T levels indirectly; by preventing the reduction of them through natural reactions in the body.

This ancient herb can make some impressive claims; which are supported by solid medical research. It really can improve ED, sex drive and testosterone levels and there are virtually no side effects.

To really boost test levels more effectively it is best included in a testosterone booster with other valuable nutritional aids such as D-Aspartic acid, zinc and vitamins.

This will ensure your body is ready, willing and able to produce more of this essential ‘man hormone’.

Just remember; with a large and competitive market there are always inferior products. You must make sure your T-Booster gives you between 100 mg – 400mg a day to see the best possible results.

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